C4 Slapping the Envoy of the East Di Country

"Even if this lawsuit goes all the way to the emperor's presence, you're still obligated to return my sister's dowry to us."

Before long, the area in front of the General's Mansion was teeming with onlookers. Such excitement was a rarity in the capital, and the crowd of spectators grew by the minute.

Lee Mingshan was visibly distressed, sweat beading on his forehead, at a loss for how to handle the situation.

He had divorced his wife, but the dowry was long gone, spent entirely.

"Make way!"

In the midst of Lee Mingshan's quandary, a haughty group pushed through the crowd.

Dressed distinctly from the citizens of the Qian Empire, these short, unsightly figures were from the East Di Country.

The locals instinctively retreated a step. The East Di Country's people had a reputation for causing trouble, bulldozing their way through the capital's streets. Ordinary citizens aside, even imperial officials would have to bite their tongues in the face of conflict with them.

It seemed the Young Marquis was at a disadvantage.

Gao Shaoyi couldn't help but compare these East Di Country individuals to the people of the island country on Earth; they were strikingly similar.

He had come to confront Lee Mingshan today, and he was ready to put these interlopers from the East Di Country in their place if they dared to meddle.

"Mr. Otomo..."

Upon seeing Ryoji Otomo, Lee Mingshan's expression was one of sheer relief, as if he had just seen a savior.

The onlookers, witnessing his reaction, could barely conceal their contempt.

The Qian Empire's decline was not only due to the emperor's incompetence but also because of the abundance of traitors like Lee Mingshan.

The common belief was that Qian Empire officials would cower in the presence of foreigners, especially after being coerced into signing numerous unequal treaties in recent years.

Yet, here stood the Young Marquis, regarding Ryoji Otomo with an air of defiance.

Gao Shaoyi had already been stirring up trouble when Lee Mingshan dispatched a messenger. As it happened, Ryoji Otomo was on his way to discuss some matters with Lee Mingshan, which explained his prompt arrival.

"General Lee is my friend, so please refrain from making a scene here," Ryoji Otomo said as he soothed Lee Mingshan before confidently approaching Gao Shaoyi.

His words only intensified the locals' disdain for Lee Mingshan, who had resorted to seeking support from an East Di Country envoy. Yet, Lee Mingshan appeared smug, convinced that Gao Shaoyi wouldn't dare cross Ryoji Otomo, regardless of his brazenness.

After all, he was not just any third-grade marquis; in the Qian Empire, where numerous kings held sway, none would risk offending Ryoji Otomo.

To everyone's shock, Gao Shaoyi delivered a slap to Ryoji Otomo's face. He had actually struck the East Di Country's Envoy right in the capital city. The bustling street fell eerily silent, despite the presence of thousands, as not a single sound could be heard.

The incident echoed one from seven years prior when King Anyong had wounded the Windsar Empire's Envoy in the capital. The Windsar Empire had declared war using that as a pretext, leading to over 40,000 casualties for the Qian Empire. Ultimately, they couldn't withstand the Windsar fleet and were forced to concede territory and pay reparations.

Since then, the Imperial Court had decreed that under no circumstances should anyone engage in conflict with any nation's envoys.

Now, with all eyes on him, Gao Shaoyi had slapped Ryoji Otomo. Was this the spark of another war?

"You fool, how dare you strike me? Do you have any idea who I am?" Ryoji Otomo was incredulous, never imagining that someone would dare to lay hands on him.

His guards quickly moved to intervene, but the Wang brothers stood their ground, unafraid and battle-hardened.

"Everyone, hold back and take a look at this," Gao Shaoyi commanded as he tore open his clothes to reveal what he had concealed.

Grenades!

Ryoji Otomo was taken aback. Gao Shaoyi had strapped himself with grenades, and not just any grenades—these were the highly explosive hand grenades manufactured exclusively by the Junker Empire, the world leader in military technology, unmatched by any other nation.

Gao Shaoyi had managed to exchange for an M24 grenade within the system. Its design was not unlike the grenades of the time, yet its explosive force was magnitudes greater than any other.

For a time, not a single soldier from the East Di Empire dared to make a move. The common folk of the Qian Empire, on the other hand, were less familiar with such a device, with some even curious enough to want a closer look.

"What do you think you're doing? I'm an Envoy from the East Di Country. Any harm that comes to me here will surely spark a dispute between our nations."

Ryoji Otomo strove to maintain composure, yet his voice betrayed his fear. He seemed to have forgotten the slap he had just received.

"So, you're interested in justice, are you?" Gao Shaoyi clapped a hand on Ryoji Otomo's shoulder. Otomo, standing only 1.5 meters tall, struggled against Gao Shaoyi's grip, to no avail—Gao Shaoyi towered over him at 1.8 meters.

"Mr. Lee is our friend," he conceded, implicitly affirming Gao Shaoyi's insinuation.

"The dowry for my sister is valued at roughly 40,000 imperial silver coins. You'll produce it, or you won't be leaving today." Gao Shaoyi's tone was subdued, yet his words carried clearly to those nearby.

He was openly threatening an Envoy of the East Di Country. Had the Young Marquis lost his mind? The local bystanders gazed at Gao Shaoyi as if he were a stranger.

Gao Shaoyi had already pegged Ryoji Otomo as a coward. Under threat, Otomo would do whatever it took to survive. And Gao Shaoyi, unafraid of retaliation, had his plans laid out. After all, he had the advantage of having lived before—his experience was vast.

Lee Mingshan, for his part, was nothing more than a lackey, bound to follow his master's bidding without question.

"This is out of the question. I suggest you let us go immediately and remove your men from the premises, or we will lodge a formal protest with your imperial court."

Ryoji Otomo began with bravado, but his voice faltered and fell silent as Gao Shaoyi's hand slowly closed around the grenade's fuse.